Noel N. de Villiers

Noel N. de Villiers "founded Open Africa. A farmer’s son who started out as a commercial entrepreneur, he founded Avis Rent a Car in Southern Africa. Later entered the corporate world as Managing Director of the Security, Travel, Transport, and Tourism interests of the Rennies Group and thereafter served as Chairman and Managing Director of a similar division in the Freight Services Group. Founded Prime Leasing in partnership with Nedfin, founded SAVRALA (The Southern Africa Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association); and served as deputy chairman of SATOUR. Member of the IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), and founder member of the Peace Parks Foundation. Elected an Ashoka Fellow in 2006 and a finalist in the 2009 Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award."